Thomas a



T. A. SIMMONS.

(Modve L) HARNESS PAD.

N0. 298,246. Patented May 6, 1884.

N. PETERS Photo-Lithographer. Walhhvglum ac UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS A. SIMMONS, OF WOOSTER, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-THIRDS TO WELLS A. UNDERWOOD AND DUNCAN MOMILLAN, BOTH OF SAME PLACE.

HARNESS-PAD.

SPECIFICATION forming part oi Letters Patent No. 298,246, dated May 6, 1884.

Application filed November 172, 1883. (Model.)

T all whom it may concern:

' the following is a specification.

The object of the present invention is to make a coach-pad or gigsaddle for harness in such a manner as to dispense with all extra leather and hair or other stuffing employed, and to so simplify the labor in making the pad as to produce the same more quickly and at much less cost than is the case in the manu-. facture of gig-saddles now in use. To'this end I form a metallic tree or pad-p1ate,upon which the saddle is formed, with flanges of such shape as to fit the curves of the animals back. In my improved saddle the pad is made in a manner similar to that in the ordinary saddle, being, however, lined with felt or similar material, and provided with a metallic or other hard center, on which the metallic flanges of the tree will bear,and thus be prevented from projecting through'the pad to injure the animal. The pad is secured to the pad-plate at the lower end by stitching through perfora tions in the plate made for this purpose. At the center of the back the pad is provided with a recess to admit the not of the check-hook, such recess going through the leather cover of the pad, but having beneath it a felt backing to protect the horse therefrom.

In order that my invention may be fully understood, I will proceed to describe it with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure I is a front view of my improved saddle. Fig. II is a vvertical section of the same. Fig. III is a vertical section at right angles to the line of Fig. II. Fig. IV is a view of the pad-plate or tree detached.

In the manufacture of my improved saddle the tree or pad-plate 1 is made of leador other metal, and provided with flanges 2, so curved at their edges as to adapt them to fit the back of a horse. The said plate is provided with apertures 3 3 3", for the attachment of the check-hook 4, the terret 5, and the pin 6, by means of which the skirt 7 and the housing 8 59 are fixed to the pad-plate. At its lower end eyelet-holes 9 are made in the pad-plate, to enable the stitching of the same to the pad 10, having a leather top, and being padded beneath with felt or similar material. In order 5 5 that the saddle may present a neat appearance, the recess 11 is cut through the leather of the pad at the top of the back, which recess is occupied by the nut 12 of the check-hook, but is not of sufficient depth to enable said nut to chafe the back of the horse. The sides of the flanges of the pad-p1ate are coveredwith japan or leather, the latter being sewed to the said plate if employed. In that part of the pad beneath the extended portion of the 6 5 flanges 2, I place a plate, 13, of metal or other hard material, to give an even bearing for the said flanges on the back of the horse and prevent the pad from sagging between the flanges.

In making the saddle I first form the padplate, as described, with flanges projecting down on each side, and then the pad,which is then secured to the plate by stitching at the lower end. The skirt and housing, then being put in place, are secured to the saddle by nuts 14, hook 4, terrets 5, and pin 6.

Having thus described my invention, the following is what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. Alnetallic coach-pad plate or tree formed with the downwardly-proj ecting flanges, whose lower edges are curved substantially as shown, to conform to the shape of the horses back.

2. The combination, with a metallic padplate having downwardly projecting side flanges for giving shape to the saddle, of apad provided with a metallic or other hard center plate adapted to bridge over the space between the said flanges, as and for the purpose 0 set forth.

THOMAS A. SIMMONS. 

